MML Investors Services LLC Increases Stock Position in Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE)

MML Investors Services LLC raised its stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE - Free Report) by 3.0% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 56,330 shares of the financial services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 1,657 shares during the period. MML Investors Services LLC's holdings in Intercontinental Exchange were worth $8,394,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of ICE. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in Intercontinental Exchange by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 52,228,177 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $7,782,521,000 after buying an additional 538,670 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 2.8% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 11,883,252 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,765,317,000 after acquiring an additional 327,637 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange during the fourth quarter worth about $1,196,258,000. Independent Franchise Partners LLP raised its stake in Intercontinental Exchange by 20.8% during the 4th quarter. Independent Franchise Partners LLP now owns 6,160,836 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $918,026,000 after purchasing an additional 1,062,904 shares during the period. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its holdings in Intercontinental Exchange by 8.0% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 5,265,020 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $865,455,000 after purchasing an additional 390,332 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.30% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently commented on ICE. Bank of America lowered their target price on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $237.00 to $230.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. StockNews.com raised shares of Intercontinental Exchange from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, February 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Intercontinental Exchange from $190.00 to $189.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 17th. Barclays increased their price target on Intercontinental Exchange from $179.00 to $189.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on Intercontinental Exchange from $178.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $182.47.

Intercontinental Exchange Trading Up 0.2 %

Shares of ICE stock traded up $0.40 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $163.63. 2,088,159 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,927,634. The firm has a market capitalization of $94.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 1.09. Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. has a 12-month low of $124.34 and a 12-month high of $177.45. The company's 50-day moving average price is $166.46 and its 200-day moving average price is $160.44. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63.

Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.53 by ($0.01). Intercontinental Exchange had a net margin of 23.42% and a return on equity of 12.95%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. will post 6.73 earnings per share for the current year.

Intercontinental Exchange Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 16th will be paid a $0.48 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 16th. This represents a $1.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.17%. Intercontinental Exchange's payout ratio is 40.17%.

Insider Transactions at Intercontinental Exchange

In related news, insider Lynn C. Martin sold 4,155 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $165.60, for a total value of $688,068.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 57,376 shares of the company's stock, valued at $9,501,465.60. This represents a 6.75 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Judith A. Sprieser sold 2,630 shares of Intercontinental Exchange stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $159.00, for a total value of $418,170.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 21,364 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,396,876. This trade represents a 10.96 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 62,931 shares of company stock worth $10,492,868. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Intercontinental Exchange Company Profile

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of market infrastructure, data services, and technology solutions for financial institutions, corporations, and government entities in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Singapore, India, Abu Dhabi, Israel, and Canada.